The practice, which has been working with developer Asif Aziz on the £100 million hotel-led scheme, will now have to come up with a third design for the plot on Shaftesbury Avenue, near Piccadilly Circus.

The committee deferred making a final decision on the latest proposals for a 503-room hotel until a number of key concerns have been addressed.

Sheppard Robson had already scaled back its original designs – for a larger 600-room hotel – which effectively reworked the roofline of the centre.

However, the committee was still worried about the ‘bulk and materials of the proposed roof extension’ – a stance supported by English Heritage – and suggested a redesign of an ambitious glass wall facade on Shaftesbury Avenue.

There were also concerns about ‘providing space for the Chinese community’ and demands for a ‘financial contribution to Leicester Square public-realm improvements.’

Martin Sagar, Sheppard Robson’s lead partner for Trocadero, said: ‘We are disappointed in Westminster Council's deferred decision on planning approval for the redevelopment of Trocadero.

‘A review of our design options with the developer Criterion Capital will address the issues raised.’

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